Andrew Jordan: ‘I’m a factory driver for BMW in the 2020 BTCC’ | GRR

Right from the outset I have to say thanks to BMW. They’ve worked and worked and really have done much more than they needed to. Everyone knows that budget is everything, and that there have been many drivers who have missed out on seats in the past due to a lack of funding. It’s really refreshing to see that if you do the job, you’re a decent person and good to work with, you can be repaid.

It pretty much goes without saying that there were a number of drivers knocking at the doors of West Surrey Racing, and why wouldn’t there be? Everyone wants to drive for the best team in the field, so to be repaid by Dick (Bennetts, WSR Team Principle) and BMW with a seat of this type means a lot.

When I heard Pirtek were pulling out at the end of 2019 I thought that staying with BMW was the only chance I’d be on the BTCC grid next year, but I really didn’t think that was possible, and if I wasn’t going to be with WSR, I didn’t want to be there.

Last year wasn’t BS, I genuinely felt that I was going in to my last weekend in the BTCC. We got to a point a few weeks ago that I genuinely felt this deal wasn’t going to happen. We were preparing to compete in the Carrera Cup if a BTCC deal didn’t work out. I wasn’t trying to play poker with anyone, we genuinely were prepping for a season in Porsches, originally on our own but then with Redline Racing before this BMW deal became a reality.

As I’ve already said, and I genuinely mean this, BMW went above and beyond to get this together, and I couldn’t be happier going in to 2020. What makes this really special, though, is that I’m here on merit and not because I’ve got a big bag of cash. I’ve built the relationship over the years and I’m here because they want me here, and that’s the first time I can say that.

I’m not knocking the whole “big bag of cash” situation, as I am well aware that has been a reason for me having such a long and successful tenure in the BTCC – I’ve never shied away from it, that’s just how the motorsport industry is these days – but on this occasion I can go in knowing that I’m there simply because I’ve done a good job and the team want me there.

It was exciting having that unknown hanging over my head, as I haven’t really had that before – I’ve always known where I’d be the next year. It was great going through the season knowing I had something I was fighting for. I think it’s safe to say that if I didn’t get a drive after last season, I would never get a drive…

The weirdest thing for me, and this is going to sound quite silly but it’s true, is going to be pulling on a white racing suit and sitting in a white racing car. I’ve been driving a blue car with a blue suit for the best part of a decade. I’m getting into that iconic BMW livery, the car that Winkelhock, Soper and Ravaglia raced, so it’s going to be pretty special.

All in all, I’m thinking about it on a year by year basis. I’m just going to go out and have fun. I absolutely loved this year, and usually by this point I’m ready for some time off, but I’m ready to go again. I loved the fight, especially when it got a bit spicy, and I loved saying what I thought – if people like it, great. If they don’t… great!

From now on, though, we look ahead to the 2020 season. We’re heading to MIRA for our first test today, but the programme really starts in earnest in February, where we can get stuck in and really start pushing on for the upcoming season.

I can’t wait, I’m ready to get stuck in!